Tennis Ball Machine

[HipCoyote]

I am in the market for a tennis ball machine. I need it to be battery powered. I am a mid level player getting back into the sport, if that matters.

Recommendations?

[livesoft]

Get a used one. Your club probably has a bunch of old ones.

[bf0123]

I was in a similar boat a year ago and bought a used, battery powered one. I believe I used Facebook Marketplace, but it might have been Craigslist. Very glad I did, I've used the machine many times. The factors I'd consider if buying again:
Remote control? Mine doesn't have, would be nice (but can add $$$ to the cost).
Machine Weight? Mine is a bit awkward, heavy. Definitely not for somebody with a bad back. There are some lighter weight ones (Slinger?) to look at if that matters.
Ball Speed? Mine claims it can get to 70-80 mph...some only go to 50-60.
Shot variability?: Eg can the machine move you around the court or not.

Good luck!

[bombcar]

A quick look shows these running around $1k even used.

$1k will pay for some decent membership time at a tennis club that has one - something to consider.

[HipCoyote]

Get a used one. Your club probably has a bunch of old ones.

Where I live there are no clubs nearby...so its the city park or travel.

[skepticalobserver]

I had one years ago. Here’s the thing: you get a lot of balls coming at you for about a minute and a half, then spend 15 minutes picking them up. For me, it was better to hire a high school tennis team player to hit for an hour at minimum wage or thereabouts. In addition to improving your stroke you practice covering the court.

[HipCoyote]

I had one years ago. Here’s the thing: you get a lot of balls coming at you for about a minute and a half, then spend 15 minutes picking them up. For me, it was better to hire a high school tennis team player to hit for an hour at minimum wage or thereabouts. In addition to improving your stroke you practice covering the court.

Thanks..not a bad idea.

[Gardener]

Are you in Maryland? I’d sell you mine lol, a Slinger, which is a great ball machine, but just prefer to hit with a partner.

Check out Slinger reviews on YouTube . Great value ball machine. Only downside at high speeds, it produces a very heavy ball with a lot of topspin, one you’d probably never see from most recreational players.

[gips]

we have a silent partner machine, the company that makes them used to list them for a discount on ebay, they were brand new, i guess they didn't want to undercut their website. The most important features are the ability to control amount of spin, and speed and I like that it can oscillate so it hits one ball to backhand and one to forehand, great workout. not sure if they still list them on ebay, check finished auctions.

If you are interested in stroke mechanics, there's nothing better than setting up your phone or ipad on a cheap tripod behind you, hitting 10 strokes, watching video and adjusting. it never gets tired, is always available and is an amazing tool.

best,

[HipCoyote]

we have a silent partner machine, the company that makes them used to list them for a discount on ebay, they were brand new, i guess they didn't want to undercut their website. The most important features are the ability to control amount of spin, and speed and I like that it can oscillate so it hits one ball to backhand and one to forehand, great workout. not sure if they still list them on ebay, check finished auctions.

If you are interested in stroke mechanics, there's nothing better than setting up your phone or ipad on a cheap tripod behind you, hitting 10 strokes, watching video and adjusting. it never gets tired, is always available and is an amazing tool.

best,

Thank you. This was my intention.

[moi]

I also got a Silent Partner Edge Lite-R. Got a remote, which is convenient and worth it. It has more than enough speed and spin than you'll ever need at a rec level. Oscillates so you can move side to side. You can adjust the throw angle (high vs low launch angle), spin, and speed, to practice all sorts of shots. Of course nothing beats hitting with a partner, but if there's a specific kind of shot you want to practice (high bouncing topspin to your backhand? Putting away the hight bouncing short ball? Etc), a ball machine is great.

I got my refurbished from eBay pre pandemic. I think it was actually brand new. I've had to replace the control board once under warranty (I did the repair, and they sent me the part). I've purchased a new charging plug. I've purchased a new battery (third party) because it doesn't hold charge anymore. But overall, a great machine. When I email the company, they are always helpful in helping me troubleshoot and I've done the repairs myself.

[HipCoyote]

I also got a Silent Partner Edge Lite-R. Got a remote, which is convenient and worth it. It has more than enough speed and spin than you'll ever need at a rec level. Oscillates so you can move side to side. You can adjust the throw angle (high vs low launch angle), spin, and speed, to practice all sorts of shots. Of course nothing beats hitting with a partner, but if there's a specific kind of shot you want to practice (high bouncing topspin to your backhand? Putting away the hight bouncing short ball? Etc), a ball machine is great.

I got my refurbished from eBay pre pandemic. I think it was actually brand new. I've had to replace the control board once under warranty (I did the repair, and they sent me the part). I've purchased a new charging plug. I've purchased a new battery (third party) because it doesn't hold charge anymore. But overall, a great machine. When I email the company, they are always helpful in helping me troubleshoot and I've done the repairs myself.

Thank you...excellent advice.

[gips]

I also got a Silent Partner Edge Lite-R. Got a remote, which is convenient and worth it. It has more than enough speed and spin than you'll ever need at a rec level. Oscillates so you can move side to side. You can adjust the throw angle (high vs low launch angle), spin, and speed, to practice all sorts of shots. Of course nothing beats hitting with a partner, but if there's a specific kind of shot you want to practice (high bouncing topspin to your backhand? Putting away the hight bouncing short ball? Etc), a ball machine is great.

I got my refurbished from eBay pre pandemic. I think it was actually brand new. I've had to replace the control board once under warranty (I did the repair, and they sent me the part). I've purchased a new charging plug. I've purchased a new battery (third party) because it doesn't hold charge anymore. But overall, a great machine. When I email the company, they are always helpful in helping me troubleshoot and I've done the repairs myself.

how hard was the battery replacement installation? we had a tennis tutor machine and it took us five hours to get it right. op, we find the silent partner to be better ergonomically designed than the tennis tutor.

[Boglegirl81]

I just bought a Titan pickleball machine. They make tennis ball machines too. It was pricey, but I did a lot of research and I think it’s better than the other machines out there. The battery is removable so I can just leave the machine in my car and remove the battery to charge it in the house.

[beernutz]

I bought a Silent Partner Edge Star bought back in 2009 for around $1k. I converted it to run on AC power with an extension cord as I had several of its batteries die before their time but it can be converted back to 12v DC pretty easily. The only issue with it now is that it won't oscillate and SP customer service, which is responsive and has tried to be helpful, basically said it sounds like a new control board is needed which I have no interest in funding.

It is still a solid machine but since I no longer play I'll likely donate it to a local club or pro.

[moi]

I also got a Silent Partner Edge Lite-R. Got a remote, which is convenient and worth it. It has more than enough speed and spin than you'll ever need at a rec level. Oscillates so you can move side to side. You can adjust the throw angle (high vs low launch angle), spin, and speed, to practice all sorts of shots. Of course nothing beats hitting with a partner, but if there's a specific kind of shot you want to practice (high bouncing topspin to your backhand? Putting away the hight bouncing short ball? Etc), a ball machine is great.

I got my refurbished from eBay pre pandemic. I think it was actually brand new. I've had to replace the control board once under warranty (I did the repair, and they sent me the part). I've purchased a new charging plug. I've purchased a new battery (third party) because it doesn't hold charge anymore. But overall, a great machine. When I email the company, they are always helpful in helping me troubleshoot and I've done the repairs myself.

how hard was the battery replacement installation? we had a tennis tutor machine and it took us five hours to get it right. op, we find the silent partner to be better ergonomically designed than the tennis tutor.

Oops gips didn't see your post.

Replacing the battery wasn't too bad. I slid the battery in and out of the case through the opening where the ball flies out. I didn't have to open up the machine. It took less than an hour.